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A close-up shot of a bowl filled with vibrant Lemon Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Noodle pasta, garnished with fresh parsley and a lemon wedge.
Reda

Lemon Garlic Shrimp Zucchini Noodle Skillet

A vibrant, low-carb skillet meal featuring succulent lemon-garlic shrimp tossed with tender zucchini noodles in a light, flavorful sauce. Perfect for a quick and healthy weeknight dinner.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, Mediterranean
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

For the Lemon Garlic Shrimp
  • 1 lbs shrimp peeled, deveined, tails on or off
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano optional
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes optional
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
For the Zucchini Noodles
  • 2 medium zucchini
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
For the Sauce & Garnish
  • 1/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp unsalted butter or 1 more tbsp olive oil for dairy-free
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped

Equipment

  • Large skillet
  • Mixing Bowl
  • Spiralizer
  • Tongs

Method
 

Prepare the Shrimp
  1. In a mixing bowl, combine shrimp, 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp lemon juice, oregano (if using), red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper. Toss to coat and let marinate for at least 10 minutes while preparing other ingredients.
Prepare the Zucchini Noodles
  1. Using a spiralizer or julienne peeler, create noodles from the zucchini. Pat them dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This step is crucial for preventing soggy zoodles.
Cook the Shrimp
  1. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated shrimp in a single layer (cook in batches if necessary to avoid overcrowding, which steams the shrimp instead of searing). Cook for 1-2 minutes per side, until pink and opaque. Remove shrimp from the skillet and set aside.
Sauté Zucchini Noodles
  1. In the same skillet, add 1 tbsp olive oil and 2 cloves minced garlic. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the zucchini noodles to the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes, tossing frequently, until tender-crisp. Avoid overcooking to prevent sogginess.
Build the Sauce
  1. Add chicken/vegetable broth and 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice to the skillet with the zoodles. Bring to a simmer and stir, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan to incorporate flavor. Stir in the butter (or extra olive oil) until melted and fully incorporated, creating a light, glossy sauce.
Combine and Serve
  1. Return the cooked shrimp to the skillet with the zucchini noodles and sauce. Toss gently to combine and heat through, about 1 minute. Stir in the fresh chopped parsley. Serve immediately, perhaps with an extra lemon wedge.

Notes

To avoid watery zoodles, pat them very dry after spiralizing. Don't overcook them; they should be tender-crisp for the best texture. For an extra kick, add a pinch more red pepper flakes at the end or a dash of hot sauce.